Thinking of Thanksgiving 2019

[mcm574]

As some folks here know, my family-of-4 trip a couple of weeks ago went sideways when my youngest became too sick to travel - and though the ensuing mom-and-son trip was lovely, we're definitely invested in a full-family do-over!

And so - we're thinking of traveling over Thanksgiving this year. (We're in the Bay Area, so would drive down rather than deal with the hassle of flying at Thanksgiving!) I booked DLH for Wed-Sun, and now just have to decide whether to actually go through with visiting at what's sure to be a crazy time!

One thing I'm thinking is that I'm totally comfortable with assuming we won't even try to visit SW:GE - part of the goal is to give my husband and younger son the chance to do all the cool stuff my older son and I did in March and, obviously, that did not include SW:GE. Understanding that the new land is unquestionably going to increase overall crowds, what do people think about that idea? - maybe a little less chaotic if I assume we won't even try to go to SW:GE in month 6 of its existence?

Also, hoping to get general thoughts from those who've done Thanksgiving in the parks before - do people prefer doing a long traditional Thanksgiving meal at one of the sit-down restaurants? Which is your favorite? Or is there a fabulous counter service option I should be considering? We've never been at the parks during the holiday celebrations - what are must-dos on that front?

Any thoughts/advice on DLR Thanksgiving/holidays welcome! - thanks in advance, the thoughts shared here are always helpful!!!

 

[Malcon10t]

There are a LOT of Thanksgiving options, from special meals at Steakhouse 55, Napa Rose, and Carthay, to Goofy's Kitchen and Storytellers Buffet, to the Royal Feast at the DLH. The various table service meals usually have a turkey option, as do many of the counter service locations.

Our family usually does that Thanksgiving Feast at the DLH.

 

[ChrissyLou]

We have been over Thanksgiving, and yes, it was busy, but we didn't find it so much so that with our usual strategies of being early to the parks, mid-day breaks and heading back in the late afternoon/early evening it was not unbearable. I think I've been at times in October that seemed busier. but it has been 7 years since our Thanksgiving trip and each trip since (regardless of time of year) Disney seems to be packing more and more guests inside the parks. I do remember Thanksgiving Day was not as busy as I had anticipated. Each of the Disney hotels offer a traditional meal/buffet with fabulous offerings, but they are quite expensive--I think in the $75-$100+ range for adults--I think Catal (DTD) also offers a dinner, which I recall was less than the resorts. In the end we decided to take advantage of what seemed one of the slower days of our trip over spending time our of the park stuffing our faces. We had the turkey dinner at the Plaza Inn. It was good, and even better was the $16.99 price per person. It is not like having a home cooked dinner at home with family and am sure it pales in comparison to any of the hotel dining options, but it worked for us. Just make sure to make reservations, especially if you are going to do one of the resort dinners.

 

[Joestoppable]

Thanksgiving can be a tough one at DL. There are a lot of thanksgiving food options around the parks which usually are fairly decent.

As for the crowds its a 50/50. I've been there on some thanksgivings where it was just like a typical weekday. And sometimes it can be at capacity by 1 or 2pm.

For the food options, I usually recommend the buffet options for families with kids. The ones that have prefixed menus tend not to have great options for kids, or if they do, its very generic kids options. the DLH has the best buffet. over in the Disney Paradise Pier hotel their PCH restaurant also has a buffet option. But the one in DLH is much better IMO. It is fairly pricey so i guess it just depends on how much your family likes thanksgiving food.

As for this year, the parks will mostly likely be very crowded still with SW GE opening. So if rides are a big thing I would recommend getting maxpass added onto your tickets. Just makes things a lot easier being able to be in a line for something while getting fast passes for something else. Also most of the times you can load a fast pass before rope drop happens. Most people at rope drop run to the bigger rides trying to get them out of the way first. But with maxxpass you could go for the smaller less popular rides and easily just load fast passes for those bigger rides.

 

[chickapin parterre]

thanksgiving is late into the year, a whole week of holiday visiting has disappeared. What you will be experiencing is the visitors who don't celebrate until Thanksgiving, so it will be more crowded than normal with traditionalist holiday visitors., so basically three weeks of visitors crammed into one week.

And I see that you have never been during Christmas, that will help with your visit, you could spend a whole day just photographing and exploring and photo ops of all the holiday decor, plus Small World will have a show and a larger variety of street musicians on Main Street.

I am not a fan of Disneyland treats, but at Christmas there is so much holiday themed selections that it is fun to eat the treats.

NBC will also be fun, prepare children for the story line.

 

[mcm574]

There are a LOT of Thanksgiving options, from special meals at Steakhouse 55, Napa Rose, and Carthay, to Goofy's Kitchen and Storytellers Buffet, to the Royal Feast at the DLH. The various table service meals usually have a turkey option, as do many of the counter service locations.

Our family usually does that Thanksgiving Feast at the DLH.

the DLH has the best buffet.

I'm tempted by that idea, especially if we keep the DLH reservation. I've read conflicting reports regarding whether there are characters at the DLH Thanksgiving buffet, can anyone shed any light on that detail?

In the end we decided to take advantage of what seemed one of the slower days of our trip over spending time our of the park stuffing our faces. We had the turkey dinner at the Plaza Inn. It was good, and even better was the $16.99 price per person. It is not like having a home cooked dinner at home with family and am sure it pales in comparison to any of the hotel dining options, but it worked for us.

Ooooh, <$20/person and more ride time is tempting, too, though. I'm kind of contemplating doing what my mom does every year (she lives alone) - cooking a turkey breast and some basic sides a week before or after to have the "home cooked dinner" experience anyway - best of both worlds???

As for this year, the parks will mostly likely be very crowded still with SW GE opening. So if rides are a big thing I would recommend getting maxpass added onto your tickets. Just makes things a lot easier being able to be in a line for something while getting fast passes for something else.

Oh, no question, having experienced MaxPass a couple of weeks ago (and FP+ last year at WDW - separating out the questions around needing to book in advance, I loved the ability to book online), I'm never going back, it's a total game changer!!! One thing my husband was VERY sad to have missed was GotG, so I can see leveraging MaxPass to do that at least a couple of times!...

NBC will also be fun, prepare children for the story line.

Sorry, what's NBC?

 

[Malcon10t]

I'm tempted by that idea, especially if we keep the DLH reservation. I've read conflicting reports regarding whether there are characters at the DLH Thanksgiving buffet, can anyone shed any light on that detail?

Can't find my princess pictures....

 

[Joestoppable]

I'm tempted by that idea, especially if we keep the DLH reservation. I've read conflicting reports regarding whether there are characters at the DLH Thanksgiving buffet, can anyone shed any light on that detail?




Oh, no question, having experienced MaxPass a couple of weeks ago (and FP+ last year at WDW - separating out the questions around needing to book in advance, I loved the ability to book online), I'm never going back, it's a total game changer!!! One thing my husband was VERY sad to have missed was GotG, so I can see leveraging MaxPass to do that at least a couple of times!...

I remember there being characters a couple of years ago when I went. But i'm not sure if they changed anything since then.

OMG YES. GotG to me requires at least 2 or 3 times per visit. I know everyone likes the incredicoaster. i like it as well (especially at night) but I feel GotG gives you an awesome experience beginning to end.

 

[Joestoppable]

Can't find my princess pictures....

Wow you guys got some amazing shots. Was this last year? and were there a lot of people there. I got some cool pictures when I was there last, but not like this. a lot of mine had a lot of people walking and interacting with the characters

 

[Malcon10t]

Found it

Can't believe I can't find pictures of the food!!!

 

[mcm574]

Those photos are making the DLH buffet seem like a VERY good option! That said, clearly I've got quite a while before I need to make a decision - but if nothing else, you all have convinced me that I should keep the Thanksgiving week DLH reservations either way, it seems like my usual go early/leave early/leverage maxpass strategy will suit me well in the park - it will be fun to see the place in "holiday mode" - and no matter what, it would make for a memorable Thanksgiving! (My kids have only ever had one Thanksgiving dinner away from home - and that was at their uncle's house!)

 

[Malcon10t]

Wow you guys got some amazing shots. Was this last year? and were there a lot of people there. I got some cool pictures when I was there last, but not like this. a lot of mine had a lot of people walking and interacting with the characters

Those are from last year, but we have been doing this a few years now. Every year is a good line up. I still can't figure out where the food shots went!

 

[Joestoppable]

Those are from last year, but we have been doing this a few years now. Every year is a good line up. I still can't figure out where the food shots went!

from what i remember isnt the food usually about the same every year?

 

[Malcon10t]

from what i remember isnt the food usually about the same every year?

Yep, pretty much. Turkey, sirloin, crab, shrimp, potatoes, gravy, soups, mac and cheese, various veggies, salads galore, desserts on end. Out only "disappointment" is the lack of decent pumpkin pie. So, we bring one each year to have later in the room.

 

[Malcon10t]

Here's a link for what was offered last year.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...thanksgiving-day-dining-at-disneyland-resort/

 

[chickapin parterre]

overlay of the Haunted Mansion, Nightmare Before Christmas.

 

[B3rlingirl]

I hope it won’t be too bad with the crowd...( I’ll probably be there after thanksgiving) but I think this year crowd prediction in general will belike a lottery... especially because no one really knows how much the rest of the park will be impacted by the SWGE crowd...

And I am really looking forward to experiencing Christmas season at Disneyland!